The forums, which kick off on Wednesday, will feature discussions on community policing, affordable housing, job creation and more. Matsikoudis, 45, was the city's corporation counsel under Fulop's predecessor, Jerramiah Healy.

Matsikoudis -- considered the underdog against Fulop, who has a major cash advantage and the support of the Hudson County Democratic establishment -- hopes to win support from voters with detailed policy positions.

"My grassroots campaign for mayor continues to focus on having honest policy conversations and making sure every community voice is heard," Matsikoudis said. "Like all elections, this will be a simple choice in leadership. Jersey City can continue to be represented by a man who will say, do and spend whatever it takes to be re-elected, or we can use this moment to rethink and recapture the true spirit of the city with new leadership and a fresh approach to finding solutions."

Asked to respond to Matsikoudis' criticism of Fulop, the mayor's campaign spokeswoman, Hannah Peterson, referred to "opposition candidates" who "whine in hopes of advancing their own agenda." Matsikoudis is Fulop's only challenger.

"Reality shows that the Fulop administration has been at the forefront of both progressive and constructive policies for Jersey City, combating the wasteful and out-of-date practices that were put in place by the leadership of the prior administration," Peterson said.

The first of Matsikoudis' town halls is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at Cafe Sole, 496 Communipaw Ave. The second will be on Sunday, Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. at the Barrow Mansion, 83 Wayne St., the third on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at Second Reformed Church, 940 Summit Ave. and the final one on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Moose Lodge, 60 West Side Ave.

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 7. The mayoralty and all nine City Council seats are up for grabs in this nonpartisan race.